Charles Spurgeon · New Park Street Pulpit, Volume 4, Sermon No. 207 · 1858

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility: sermon notes

But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Romans 10:20-21

Summary

God’s sovereign grace saves the undeserving, while sinners remain responsible for rejecting his sincere, daily invitation to come to Christ.

Sermon outline

Likely Title: Sovereign Grace and Man’s Responsibility

Likely Text/Passage: Romans 10:20–21

Main Theme: Divine sovereignty in salvation and human responsibility for rejecting God are both biblical truths that must be believed together.

Introduction

The passage primarily addresses the rejection of Israel and the calling of the Gentiles.
Scripture presents two truths that seem difficult to reconcile: God’s sovereign grace and humanity’s responsibility.
These truths are not contradictory, even if human understanding cannot fully unite them.

Main Points

God’s Sovereign Grace in Salvation
Salvation is entirely unmerited; no sinner possesses anything that obligates God to save.
God is always first in salvation: he gives conviction, desire, faith, and spiritual life.
God seeks and saves those who were not seeking him, as illustrated by the lost sheep and Saul’s conversion.
Grace is sovereign because God has the right to show mercy according to his own will.

Man’s Responsibility in Rejecting God
Israel was guilty because God continually stretched out his hands and invited them to receive mercy.
God’s invitation is sincere, affectionate, and repeated through Scripture, conscience, providence, preaching, and personal warnings.
Those who hear and reject the gospel will be accountable for neglecting such a great salvation.
Human unwillingness and rebellion, not an excuse based on predestination, are the grounds of condemnation.

The Need to Hold Both Truths Together
Sovereign grace should lead Christians to humility, gratitude, and praise.
Human responsibility should lead sinners to repentance and faith rather than excuses.
The Bible, rather than theological parties or systems, must remain the final standard.
Error arises when sovereign grace is preached without responsibility or responsibility is taught without grace.

Application

Christians should receive all biblical teaching without being frightened by theological labels or difficult doctrines.
Believers should praise God for unmerited, sovereign grace and refuse to build their faith on any system apart from Scripture.
Sinners should abandon every excuse, repent, turn to Christ, and respond to God’s repeated invitations.
Hearers should recognize that continued rejection of the gospel increases their accountability.

Conclusion

God’s sovereign grace and man’s responsibility are both true, even if their full harmony is beyond present human understanding.
The Christian should bless God for grace; the sinner should humble himself, reject excuses, and seek the Lord.

Key quotes

Each quote below is copied from the printed sermon and checked word for word against it.

The system of truth is not one straight line, but two

Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other

Men do not seek God first; God seeks them first

If you are desiring him he desired you first

God saves the men that do not seek him. Oh, wonder of wonders

No sinner can be beforehand with thee, Thy grace is most sovereign, most rich, and most free

With the first one, the saint has most to do. Let him praise the free and sovereign grace of God, and bless his name. With the second, the sinner has the most to do

The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants

Scripture references

Romans 10:20-21
The preacher’s primary text contrasts God’s gracious revelation to those who did not seek him with Israel’s disobedient rejection.
"I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me."
This quotation illustrates sovereign grace, showing that God takes the initiative in saving those who did not seek or ask for him.
"All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."
This quotation establishes man’s guilt and responsibility for rejecting God’s persistent invitation.
"What I sow I shall reap"
The preacher uses this statement to represent the biblical truth that people are responsible for their actions.
"It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."
This quotation represents the truth that salvation depends on God’s mercy rather than human willing or effort.
"Is thine eye evil because mine eye is good? Can I not do as I will with mine own?"
The preacher cites these questions to defend God’s sovereign right to distribute grace as he chooses.
"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy."
This quotation emphasizes that God’s mercy is sovereign and not owed to anyone.
"No sinner can be beforehand with thee, Thy grace is most sovereign, most rich, and most free."
This hymn line summarizes the priority and freeness of divine grace.
"My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage."
This quotation supports the preacher’s claim that the gospel invitation is sincerely and broadly offered.
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
This quotation presents Christ’s affectionate invitation to sinners to come to him for rest.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."
The preacher uses Christ’s lament over Jerusalem to show God’s compassionate appeal and Israel’s refusal.
"Come, come; I am ready to forgive you."
This illustration expresses the affectionate character of God’s invitation to the sinner.
"Come now, let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as wool; though they be red like crimson they shall be whiter than snow."
This quotation portrays God’s merciful invitation to sinners and his promise of cleansing.
"Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters."
This quotation demonstrates that God freely invites the thirsty to receive spiritual blessing.
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him turn unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and unto our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
This quotation calls sinners to repentance and assures them of God’s abundant mercy and pardon.
"Repent, and be converted for the remission of your sins."
The preacher uses this command to urge his hearers to turn to God for forgiveness.
"Turn ye unto me. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways."
This quotation calls hearers to return to God and examine their conduct.
"All day long I have stretched forth my hands."
Repeated from the text, this phrase emphasizes the persistence and frequency of God’s invitation.
"And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."
This quotation shows that rejecting greater spiritual light brings greater accountability and judgment.
"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you."
This quotation reinforces the accountability of those who reject Christ despite receiving greater revelation.
"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him."
This quotation warns that neglecting the gospel brings certain and serious judgment.
"As I live saith the Lord"
This quotation introduces God’s solemn oath concerning his attitude toward the death of the wicked.
"I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth. but had rather that he should turn unto me and live."
This quotation expresses God’s stated desire that sinners turn and live rather than perish.
"This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil."
This quotation explains that condemnation rests on people’s love of darkness and rejection of the light they received.
"The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants"
The preacher uses this statement to urge Christians to submit their beliefs to Scripture rather than to human theological systems.
"To the law and to the testimony; if I speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in me."
This quotation provides the standard by which the preacher asks hearers to test his teaching.

Small-group discussion questions

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

When have you experienced someone showing you kindness or pursuing a relationship with you before you had done anything to deserve it?
What makes it difficult for people to admit that they need help or grace from someone else?

Diving In (20 minutes)

The sermon presents two truths: God’s grace is sovereign, and people are responsible for rejecting God. How would you summarize the pastor’s main point about how these truths fit together?
In Romans 10:20–21, what contrast does Paul present between those who “sought me not” and the “disobedient and gainsaying people”? What did the pastor say this reveals about salvation and human responsibility?
The pastor said that God’s grace comes before our seeking, desires, prayers, and faith. What might it look like Tuesday morning to respond with humility and gratitude to God’s initiating grace?

Going Deeper (15 minutes)

The sermon insists that God is sovereign in salvation while people are still genuinely responsible for their choices. What objections or questions does this tension raise for you, and how did the pastor respond to the idea that these truths contradict each other?
Where do you personally struggle more: receiving salvation as completely undeserved grace, or taking seriously your responsibility to respond to God’s invitations and warnings? What makes that difficult?

Prayer Prompt

Pray for humility to rest in God’s sovereign grace, repentance for resisting him, and compassion as you invite others to respond to the gospel.

Takeaways

Big idea

God’s sovereign grace saves the undeserving, while sinners remain responsible for rejecting his sincere, daily invitation to come to Christ.

Live it out

Praise God this week for saving you by grace alone, giving him all the glory.
Search Scripture for both divine sovereignty and human responsibility without forcing either truth away.
Respond today to God’s invitation: repent, believe, and come to Christ for mercy.
Pray for someone who is resisting the gospel, asking God to stretch out his hands in mercy.
Share the gospel sincerely, urging hearers to come to Christ without excuses.

Closing prayer

Father, we praise you that you found us when we did not seek you and manifested yourself when we did not ask. Keep us humble before sovereign, unmerited grace, confessing that every good desire comes from you. Forgive us for resisting your stretched-out hands and neglecting your invitations. Give us courage to repent, believe, and call others to come to Christ. Make us faithful to your Word, trusting your mercy and taking responsibility for our response. Amen.

Read the full sermon

Charles H. Spurgeon, “Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility,” New Park Street Pulpit, Volume 4, Sermon No. 207. The sermon is in the public domain; the text used here is the CC0 Markdown edition of Spurgeon's sermons.

Full text in the CC0 edition

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